summary
Introduced
01/11/2022
01/11/2022
In Committee
01/11/2022
01/11/2022
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024
01/08/2024
Introduced Session
2022-2023 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This House urges Congress to enact the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity is purchased insurance and the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is paid for service-caused death. The offset has been an unfair penalty that cuts earned benefits to military survivors. Currently, the surviving spouse of a military member who dies on active duty or of a service-connected illness or injury in retirement is entitled to survivor's benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs' DIC fund. However, if they had also voluntarily paid into the Department of Defense's SBP in addition to the DIC, their survivors' benefits can be subtracted by as much as $15,828 per year. Essentially, the SBP is subtracted from the total survivor's benefit, rather than added to it. This offset is a substantial burden for many surviving military families. Our nation's military personnel risk their lives to defend our nation and our freedoms. They should be able to trust that the benefits they designate for their families will be provided.
AI Summary
This Resolution urges Congress to pass the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act, which aims to correct an unfair practice where surviving spouses of military members who die in service or from service-related causes have their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity, a form of purchased insurance, reduced by the amount they receive from Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a benefit paid for service-caused death. Currently, these two benefits are offset, meaning one is subtracted from the other, rather than being provided in addition to each other, which can significantly reduce the financial support for military families. The resolution highlights that this offset disproportionately affects survivors, especially those whose spouses died before certain policy changes, and argues that military members who risk their lives for the nation should be assured that the benefits they designated for their families will be fully provided.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/11/2022)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/AR21 | 01/13/2022 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2022/AR/21_I1.HTM | 10/01/2022 |
| Bill | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2022/AR/21_I1.PDF | 10/01/2022 |
| BillText | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/AR/21_I1.HTM | 01/13/2022 |
| Bill | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/AR/21_I1.PDF | 01/13/2022 |
Loading...